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The English domestic cricket season is underway, the IPL is in full-blast mode and looming in the not-too-distant future is a highly anticipated Ashes series against Australia. Not since the iconic winning series of 2005 have English fans so looked forward to Stokes, Root, Anderson and co getting stuck into the ‘Baggy Green’, so what better time to investigate what The Ashes are and find out more about their historical sporting significance?
The Ashes is a highly coveted and iconic cricket competition that takes place between England and Australia. It is considered one of the oldest and most important cricket rivalries in the world. The series consists of a maximum of five Test matches, and the team that wins the majority of the matches claims the coveted Ashes trophy. If the series ends in a draw, the holders retain the trophy.
The origins of The Ashes can be traced back to 1882 when the Australian cricket team made its first tour of England. The Australian team, led by the legendary cricketer and captain, WL ‘Billy’ Murdoch, won the Test Match at The Oval in London. The English press were so distraught by the loss that they printed a mock obituary in the Sporting Times newspaper, stating that English cricket had died, and the ashes had been taken to Australia. This sparked a frenzy of interest in the rivalry between the two teams, and the legend of The Ashes was born.
The first Ashes series took place in 1882-83, when England travelled to Australia for a five-match Test series. Australia won the series 2-1, and the famous Ashes trophy was presented to the captain of the Australian team, Ivo Bligh. The Ashes trophy is a small urn made of terracotta and measures just over 15 cm in height. It is said to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail, although the authenticity of this claim has been disputed over the years.
Since then, The Ashes have been contested on a regular basis, alternating between England and Australia. The series is considered one of the most prestigious and fiercely contested in the world of cricket, with both teams battling it out for bragging rights and national pride. The Ashes series follows a traditional five-Test format, with each Test match played over five days. The first Test match is usually held in early July, with subsequent matches scheduled throughout the summer. The series is known for its passionate crowds, stern competitiveness, and high drama.
The Ashes have been dominated by both teams at different times over the years – England enjoyed a period of dominance in the early 20th century, winning four consecutive series between 1911 and 1921. Australia then took control of the Ashes, winning eight series in a row between 1989 and 2003. Since then, the series has been more closely contested, with both teams winning three series apiece. The Ashes has also created legends of the game, revered not just by cricket lovers but sporting fans all over the world. Botham, Vaughan, Flintoff, Gower and Laker all weighed in with Ashes heroics for England but their Aussie counterparts have had more than Ashes winning talent over the years. Bradman, Warne, Waugh and McGrath are just a mere handful of the Australian greats that made their names in The Ashes.
In addition to the main Ashes series, there are also several other competitions and trophies contested between England and Australia. One of these is the Women’s Ashes, which consists of a combination of Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 matches. The Women’s Ashes were first contested in 1934, and the current format was introduced in 2013.
The Ashes series is considered one of the most important events in the world of cricket and attracts fans from all over the world. It is watched by millions of people on television, and tickets to the matches are highly sought after. The series has a rich history and tradition, dating back to the 19th century, and is considered one of the most important cricket rivalries in the world and a highlight of the international cricket calendar.
